LETTER: Health minister appreciates feedback in Cape Breton

Cape Breton Post

Published: Feb 15 at 4:49 p.m.

Letter to the Editor

This week, I, along with my Cape Breton colleagues, Sydney-Whitney Pier MLA Derek Mombourquette and Glace Bay MLA Geoff MacLellan, took part in a health forum at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavillion in Sydney.

The thoughts and opinions shared around the issue of access to primary health care generated an engaging conversation for the many Cape Bretoners in attendance and Nova Scotians online. As health minister, it was important for me to hear from people first hand – those who work in the system delivering care, as well as those receiving it.

Our government appreciates there are challenges, some of which have built up over many years, and is working hard with our partners, the Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK, to make improvements. It was encouraging to hear the thoughtful questions and suggestions for changes to the healthcare system. The panelists offered frank opinions based on personal experience, and we heard about the role nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other health care professionals play and their ability to do more.

I also appreciated having the opportunity to speak about our efforts in recruiting doctors, such as increasing residency seats at our medical school. This is building on one of our most successful tools in retaining doctors.

We heard concerns raised around doctors who train outside of Canada and the challenges they face in trying to come home. This is important feedback for us as we work to implement the Practice Ready Assessment Program to provide opportunities for internationally trained doctors to practice in Nova Scotia.

This type of conversation also allows us to provide clarity where there is confusion. That seems to be the case with the question raised about where doctors are allowed to practice. I want to assure Nova Scotians, as well as doctors looking to work in our province, that we have recognized the need to be flexible. Doctors are now able to choose where they work.

Derek, Geoff and I would like to thank everyone who took time to share their thoughts on healthcare. It’s important to all of us. Positive things come from working together and we’re very encouraged that the people of Cape Breton and health care providers want to be part of the solution.